Bock's Lake

Bock's Lake is tucked in amongst mountains and moraines. Hiking up Bock's Creek isn't difficult but it is long as a day trip. Camping at the lake is recommended as a nice multi-day trip. There are many side trips from the lake with incredible views worth exploring.

When you reach the alpine, look for the hill (left-center of photo). On the other side of this hill is Bock's Lake.

A frozen Bock's Lake, nestled in alpine. The Bock's - Duke pass is the route marked in this photo.

Looking down towards the Duke River from the Bock's - Duke pass.

Looking up to one of the side trips from Bock's Lake. The route follows the ridge up to a saddle.

Looking back down over Bock's Lake from the saddle side trip. Kluane Lake is far in the distant top left of the photo.

The spectacular view from the side trip up to the saddle.

Driving Directions

Drive 100 km north of Haines Junction on the Alaska Highway. About 14 km north of the Congdon Creek Campground you will see a highway sign for Bock's Creek, as well as a wide creek bed. You can pull off the highway onto a road, just after the creek on the north side. This is an active mining road, so leave room for vehicles to get past.

It is a 12 km hike (one way) up to Bock's Lake and it takes about 6 hours. It is recommended that you camp at the lake and perhaps even spend one extra day in the area for a day hike. If you only have 1 night, you could hike one of the side trips the evening you arrive at camp, or in the morning before hiking back out. Regardless, make sure you take one of the side trips above Bock's Lake. It's definitely worth it.

Start by following the mining road along the north side of Bock's Creek. The road may disappear shortly up the creek, as it frequently gets washed out from year to year and is only sometimes rebuilt.

If water levels in the creek are low, you can just pick your way up the creek bed. You may or may not have to take off your hiking boots to cross the creek when necessary. If water levels are higher, you may have to cross the creek a few times, so creek crossing shoes are recommended.

The route is straight forward in the beginning - just hike up the creek bed. On your left at roughly 6.5 km is a pass that leads to Nines Creek. If you are hiking to Bock's Lake, ignore the pass and continue hiking up the creek bed.

After roughly 10 km, the creek route looks like it starts to split. You want to follow the creek to your right. The route starts to climb and gets narrow at this point. You will eventually reach some islands of vegetation - welcome relief after having to walk on rocks for the past few hours. Keep following the creek bed until you reach a vegetated hillside on your left. On the other side of the hill is Bock's Lake, so you can climb over it at any point now, although it is best to wait until it is a bit more gentle sloping. From the top of the hill, or just a little further, you should see Bock's Lake below you, tucked up against the mountainside.

If water levels are low (or the lake is partially frozen, which it can be, even in July), you might be able to find a flat spot to camp down by the lake. If not, find a suitable spot on the hill next to the lake.

There are two recommended side trips that you can hike from Bock's Lake. The first one is the mountain pass between Bock's Lake and the Duke River. It is about a 5 km return trip from Bock's Lake and gets to an elevation of 2170 m. You can see the pass when looking south across Bock's Lake. Start by getting around the lake (left side if water levels are low, right side if they are high). Hike along the bottom of the moraine until you are forced to start climbing upwards. Once you are up on the moraine top, stay high on the moraine that leads towards the pass. At the end of the moraine, you will have one last steeper section to go up to reach the pass. The view from the pass is spectacular, and you can see the route down to the Duke River. The creek flowing down and the alpine meadows below look primeval.

The other recommended side trip is to the west of Bock's Lake, up to a saddle that has a sweeping view of the Duke River and deep into the Kluane Icefields. It is about a 6 km return trip from Bock's Lake and gets to an elevation of 2,348 m. Hike west from the lake, and try to get up on the vegetated areas as they are easier to walk on than the rocky moraines. Climb up the hills and then aim for the base of the ridge in front of you that angles up towards the mountain on your left. You can hike this ridge to the top of the saddle. There is a small snowfield on the other side of the ridge.

Have you been to Bock's Lake lately?

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Trip Report / Comment:

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JCM

August 25, 2019

Hiked Bock's this weekend (Aug 24-25). Wonderful trip up. The road was not in good enough condition for my small car to make it far at all. We started basically at the highway. My main recommendation is to try to stay on the right side of the creek if possible to avoid crossing the back and forth. We were able to make it up without crossing (but in one section we had to walk in about an inch of water along the side to avoid crossing).
There was snow when we reached the top and it snowed overnight some more (~10cm!). Unfortunately either of the side trips would have had a bit too much snow for what we were prepared for.

Rhiannon

August 6, 2019

Hiked this last weekend. Twice we thought a vegetated hillside along the creek bed was THE vegetated hillside described above. So we did some unnecessary climbing and ended up camping one night before making it to the lake. Then spent the second night at the lake.

There’s now a trail worn in the hill the lake is behind. You can follow that up and cut out some unnecessary walking on the rocky creek bed.

Views were beautiful. FYI the creek was high and fast in spots, so bring Crocs/shoes for crossing. Though there are some worn semi-trails in the bank, so you can hike/bushwhack around and avoid crossing. We saw several sheep, as well as a grizzly and cubs far off on a hillside.

Lost Shirt

September 7, 2018

I forgot to mention I live in Whitehorse.

Lost Shirt

September 7, 2018

Went September 2nd. Left September 4th.

I left my base layer at the trailhead. If anyone is going, please pick it up and let me know. It's located where there's a pull out for two cars (about 2 kilometers in, before Bocks Creek). Sitting on a rock on the left side (facing the creek). I recommend driving in a parking here. Saves some time.

It snowed the first night. Very beautiful location. Did the side hike where we had a view of the Donjek Range from around 2400 meters. Clear day. Awesome view. Bring gaitors because it's all snow at higher elevations (this time of year).

In terms of getting in, stay right of the creek for the first part. You'll see a point where if you were left, you wouldn't be able to get around a steep drop off. After this drop off point, cross the creek and stay left. It's much easier. I tried to score an arrow on a large rock there so I'm not sure if it will hold up. I stayed right the whole way in until I couldn't and it wasn't as friendly. Stay left until the water disappears and you see a large, steep slope in the middle (drop off on either side of the slope). Go up it. It's just after you cross the creek from the left side. Only one creek crossing required (this time of year) with sandals or similar. You can hop rocks near the end of the creek (where you still see it).

FrozenFella

August 7, 2018

We did this hike a few years ago and enjoyed the hike up and back although it's all in a narrow valley until the lake. Personally I still thought the views along the way were spectacular. I would call this a moderate hike, mainly due to the large rocks and boulders that cover much of the valley floor. It took us about six hours up, and we just crossed the creek as necessary rather than trying to create new trails along the hillsides and through the brush. Take along some creek shoes such as crocs or sandals. I would suggest good supportive boots with a solid sole to prevent rock bruising, and although I saw people up there with dogs, I wouldn't take my husky...to much risk on that kind of terrain.
We saw eighteen people on our way up and back, which is way more traffic than I'm used to in the Yukon.

Holger

July 15, 2018

We did the hike 4 weeks ago didnt see any bears but be aware of the sqhirrels they ate my girlfriends bra ... the hike itself is to be honest exausting cause you basically walking on rocks all the time. The other thing is that you also not seeing anything interesting cause you're in the valley the whole way up ... don't get me wrong the view up there is amazing and its beautiful and super remote to camp there but you have to choose if its worth it to hike for like 5-6 hours on rocks

Josee Leclerc

September 9, 2017

We hiked this trail over 3 days. The south and west trail from the lake is definitely the highlight. Beautiful at the end of August.

Glenda

July 28, 2017

The lake is lovely with many adorable pikas and marmots. The alpine hiking beyond the lake is not to be missed. Here are our notes:
1. Drive as far as you can up the road. It will save you 1.8 kms of fairly boring walking.
2. Stay to the right hand side of the creek when ascending. Detour up into the bushes where the creek seems impassable, but don't be tempted to cross over to the left side because you'll just have to cross back due to rock faces.
3. Although the lake is lovely, I don't recommend this for a day hike because it's 10 kms of uneven footing with not much scenery just to get up to the lake. Once you get to the lake, it's worth doing at least one side trip to see the big mountains. You'll have time to do this on a two-day trip.
4. The immediate area around the lake is starting to show slight signs of wear, so try to spread out around the lake when camping. There are some bold ground squirrels that have clearly been fed, so keep your food secure and don't reward them. The area is clearly popular--there were 5 groups of campers on one of our nights--so be sure to leave no trace. http://www.leavenotrace.ca/principles

Emily

July 18, 2017

Such an awesome spot! We did this hike during the first week of July and we had the most beautiful weather, there were no bugs and we didn't see any bears. It was great. It took us 5.5 hours up with gear for 2 nights, and about 3.5 hours out. The last 2 k of the hike up gets pretty tough.

Susannah

May 22, 2017

Trail is mostly snow free all the way to the lake. Around the lake itself there is a lot of snow so we camped before the lake to the west where it was snow free and we had a beautiful view of kluane lake.

The day hike to the west is clear of snow. The one to the south is still completely snow covered.

Saw bear tracks at the beginning of the trail but no signs of bears near the lake.

Parked about 500m up the mining road to the left. A very curious bear paid a visit to our car while we were up the mountain, leaving its prints all over the hood and windshield. So park at your own risk.

Chelsea

August 15, 2016

We did the hike August 5-7 -- amazing weather, gorgeous hike. The way in was rocky, but fairly straightforward. Well worth spending two nights on the lake. We did the saddle day trip and saw lots of sheep.
It took us 6.5 hours in and about 4.5 out. Bear traces on the way in, but didn't notice anything up by the lake.
We had a GPS with us and found it useful -- I could see how it might be difficult to find the lake.
Highly recommended!

Pippa & Lawrence

July 26, 2016

meant to add:

It took us 6 hours up and 4.5 down.

Pippa & Lawrence

July 26, 2016

Nice hike! We backpacked in July 22nd and came out next day as it was socked in and raining. Saw grizzly bear and flock of sheep up top. Took GPS and topo map which helped us find the route in the upper section. Rather than "islands of vegetation", I would say that as you climb higher you increasingly have a choice between the rocky valley bottom and vegetated side-hills. Each has its pros and cons. We were able to keep our feet dry by sticking to the right side of the valley (heading up) and side-hilling/bushwhacking where necessary when the main creek flowed up against that side of the valley (following routes that others had obviously taken). Side-creeks were easy to step across. Maybe low water? This hike could be called "Bock's Rocks" - it's tough on canine paws and a challenge for those who prefer solid, even footing.

Kathie

September 18, 2015

This is one of my favorite hikes. Really enjoyed it. It's not easy, but great views. Highly recommend it. Also was super quiet.

Taywada

August 3, 2015

Just did the hike and didn't find the lake:( it was beautiful none the less! Smart to bring a gps or a topo map. Talked to the people at the visitors center and there have been those who had a hard time finding it in the past. The description on this site is vague. There is "green vegetation" the whole time. The "creek" crossings are also unpredictable and change quickly. We had a true adventure and loved the country regardless. Not sure who writes these descriptions but not the first time a hike has been hard to find according to this site.

LJ

August 1, 2015

Had a wet, rainy hike up for a night this week. Prepare for mountain weather up there, we woke up to snow in the peaks.

Prepare for a long day up! Took our energetic group 7 hrs up, felt longer than 12 km. Only 4.5 hrs down. Doubled our # of creek crossings on the way down with all the run-off (rain).

Options to camp before reaching the lake. At ~11 km?, right after you the narrowest ascent of hike there is a green vegetated plateau, access to creek).

Gorgeous country.

Terry Joss

August 26, 2014

My new favorite hike. Took about 7.5 hours to go to the lake and back, wish I was able to stay the night and explore. Definitely can get some good mtn weather up there and fast so be aware of that. Easy hike, long hike though and on uneven ground. Highly recommend this hike to everyone.

Karl McEwan

August 16, 2014

Decided to try it as a day hike and had a great time. 6 and a half hours to the saddle west of the lake, a beautiful view into Kluane and a few sheep in the rocks below us. Then 5 hours back to the car parked at the Highway. The creek was relatively low so we managed to pick our way across without taking our boots off and the light packs made the ~30km day do able.